Every fall, just like clockwork, I find myself wishing I could pack my bags, disappear to the seaside village of Dryden, and become an adopted Owens sister. In the nearly three decades since Practical Magic hit theaters, the film has become a cult classic, beloved for its witchy world, ‘90s style, and story of sisterhood in its many forms.
This year, like many wannabe-coven members, I did my rewatch early in the season, counting down the days to Sally and Gillian’s return to the big screen in Practical Magic 2 on September 10. And somewhere between the midnight margaritas and Amas Veritas, I decided there was no better year to borrow a little Owens sister magic for myself. So, in honor of Practical Magic 2, here are 13 ways to make your fall feel a little more bewitching—broomsticks optional.
1. Make midnight margaritas
Break out the blender, salt the rims, and press play on Coconut by Harry Nilsson! Few scenes in Practical Magic are more iconic than the four Owens women dancing in the kitchen with their late-night margs. Invite your clan over for a special occasion—or no occasion at all—and put the lime in the coconut.
2. Dress like an Owens sister
Are you a Sally, a Gillian, or an eccentric mix of Jet and Frances? This fall, channel Sally’s cozy, romantic aesthetic with knits, long skirts, petite florals, and earthy hues, or walk on the wild side with Gillian’s leather, sheer layers, and black-on-black palette. And for that signature Jet-and-Frances flair, pile on the velvet, scarves, and statement jewelry. No matter what, remember that we’re going for ‘90s bohemian—not Halloween witch.
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3. Plant lavender for luck and rosemary by your garden gate
While Sally did specifically mention a garden gate in her iconic quote from the original movie, no garden (or whimsical greenhouse) is actually necessary. Herbs and botanicals are woven throughout the Owens women’s world—Sally even turns them into soaps, lotions, and other goodies at her shop, Verbena—so consider this your permission to cultivate a little greenery of your own. Grow herbs on your porch, balcony, windowsill, or even in a pot in your kitchen, and put them to use in your cooking, tea, and maybe a potion or two…
4. Make pancakes from scratch
When a young Sally dreams up her ideal man, one of her most charming requirements is the ability to flip pancakes in the air. Years later, Detective Gary Hallett does exactly that while making breakfast for the Owens girls, proving there may be something to that childhood spell after all. Spend a slow fall morning whipping up a batch of homemade pancakes—and don’t forget to try your hand at the flip yourself. Maybe just skip the famous Owens family syrup recipe.
5. Go antiquing
Part of what makes the Owens family home so enchanting is that everything in it feels collected over generations. To give your own home the same feel, visit an antique store and go treasure hunting for something the aunts would approve of, such as a well-worn copper pot, vintage glassware, an old botanical print, a set of tiny apothecary bottles, or perfectly tarnished silver.
READ: What to Look for at Thrift Stores, According to a Home Editor
6. Write your own Amas Veritas
After watching the Owens family curse wreak havoc on the women who came before her, a young Sally casts the Amas Veritas spell to conjure up a man so impossibly perfect that she believes she’ll never fall in love. Of course, she does, reminding us all to dream big. Take a page from Sally’s spellbook and make a list of your own must-haves in a partner, from the meaningful to the delightfully specific. One green eye and one blue? That’s when you’ll know!
7. Carry a tiger’s eye for luck
When Gillian is fleeing from Jimmy, there’s only one thing she refuses to leave behind: her tiger’s eye, which she believes brings her luck. Find a lucky charm of your own to keep close this fall, whether it’s a piece of family jewelry, a tiny trinket that holds meaning only to you, or even just a handwritten mantra. You never know when you might need it.
8. Eat chocolate cake for breakfast
Leave it to Jet and Frances to make a perfectly compelling case for chocolate cake before noon. Sure, rules exist for a reason, but some are a lot more fun to break than others. So, bake your favorite chocolate cake (or pick one up from your favorite bakery)—we’re giving you permission to eat dessert first. Heck, have it with your morning coffee and call it a mocha.
9. Gather your own coven
If we’ve learned anything from Practical Magic, it’s that every woman needs a coven she can call when things go sideways. Despite their differences, it’s the women of Dryden who rally around Sally and Gillian—broomsticks and all—when they need them most. Your girls’ night probably won’t involve an exorcism, but fire up the phone tree anyway—takeout and wine (or midnight margaritas) sound like a safe bet.
10. Dance under the full moon
The Owens women have never been ones to stay inside during a full moon, and neither should you. On the next full moon, make a night of it: Turn on some music, step outside, and dance under the moonlight with your favorite people (no oceanside Victorian estate required). And as Aunt Frances would remind you, nudity is entirely optional.
11. Indulge in a little superstition
You don’t have to believe in magic, but engaging in a little superstition can add some whimsy and intention to your everyday. Take Sally’s advice and throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, make a wish when the clock strikes 11:11, knock on wood, or consult your fall horoscope before making any major decisions. Whether any of it will actually change your fate is uncertain, but there’s only one way to find out.
12. Spend a cozy night with Practical Magic
There’s something about the world of Practical Magic that begs to be revisited on a dark fall night. Turn off the overhead lights, light a few candles, and settle in under your softest blanket with the original movie or one of Alice Hoffman’s four books about the Owens family. Bonus points if you convince yourself there might be something buried beneath the rosebushes.
READ: The Best Fall Movies to Watch This Season
13. Fall in love whenever you can
Of all Sally’s advice, this might be the most important. And no, she doesn’t just mean romantically. Fall in love with your friends, your family, your home, a new hobby, an old book, your morning coffee—everything. After all, the real magic has always been in who and what we love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Quincy Bulin, Contributing Writer
Quincy is a multi-hyphenate freelancer based in Austin, Texas, balancing her time between journalism, marketing, and ghostwriting. In addition to The Everygirl, she’s written for publications such as Southern Living, Apartment Therapy, and Parents.
